MUSCAT: Al Amerat Club were crowned with their first title of His Majesty’s Hockey Cup in its 54th edition, after defeating Salalah Club 3-1. Ahli Sidab Club secured third place after defeating Al-Nasr Club 3-0 in matches held at the Hockey Oman Stadium in Al Amerat.
HH Sayyid Harib Thuwaini Al Said was the chief guest for the final.
The first quarter began with clear dominance from Al Amerat players, who pressed hard to control the game and claim the championship title. On the other hand, Salalah players were forced to retreat into defence due to Al Amerat's high-pressure strategy. Al Amerat created several dangerous opportunities early in the match, but Salalah's goalkeeper and defenders skillfully blocked them. Al Amerat’s pressure paid off in the fourth minute when they were awarded a penalty corner, which Ahmed al Nofli successfully converted to score the first goal.
Salalah players then tried to equalise and had two chances from penalty corners near the end of the first quarter, but Pakistani player Rana Ashraf missed both. The quarter ended with Al Amerat leading 1-0.
In the second quarter, Al Amerat continued their strong performance, with Ahmed al Ajmi firing a powerful shot that was saved by Salalah’s goalkeeper in the first minute. Salalah responded quickly, earning another penalty corner, but Pakistani player Imad also missed the opportunity. Salalah maintained their offensive efforts to equalise, while Al Amerat relied on counterattacks, which bore fruit in the fifth minute when Pakistani player Abdulhanan Shahid scored the second goal.
Despite continued pressure from Salalah, they failed to create significant threats to Al Amerat’s goal. In the 11th minute, Al Amerat extended their lead with a third goal scored by Egyptian player Ahmed Mohammed. The first half ended with Al Amerat leading 3-0.
Salalah entered the third quarter with enthusiasm and energy, earning their fourth penalty corner, but they missed it once again, continuing to squander chances. Al Amerat focused on organised defence and counterattacks, while Salalah maintained their offensive pressure in search of reducing the deficit. In the eighth minute, Salalah came close to scoring through a penalty corner taken by Rana Ashraf, but it failed to find the net. Both teams exchanged attacks until the end of the quarter, which ended with Al Amerat maintaining their 3-0 lead.
In the final quarter, Salalah intensified their efforts to narrow the gap and earned a fifth penalty corner in the eighth minute, but missed it yet again. Al Amerat’s goalkeeper, Fahd al Nofli, continued his stellar performance, keeping a clean sheet until the final seconds when Salalah’s Abdulrahman Naseeb scored their lone goal from a penalty corner. The match concluded with Al Amerat winning 3-1.
Al Amerat Club were crowned champions, receiving the championship trophy along with 30 gold medals and a financial prize of RO 40,000. Salalah Club finished in second place, earning a prize money of RO 25,000, while Ahli Sidab secured third place and a financial prize of RO 15,000.
As for the individual awards, Mohammed Ali from Al Amerat became the tournament's top scorer with 8 goals. The Best Goalkeeper award went to Amjad Abdullah al Hosni from Salalah Club, while the Best Player award was claimed by Maytham Saif al Wahibi from Ahli Sidab Club.
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